1999 Cadillac Catera

I own a 1999 Cadillac Catera and it is a beater. It will not start right now, unless it feels like it. It stalls randomly on the road (which is rather dangerous) and we have been stuck in certian places (namely 5 hours from home) for more than 2 hours before it will start. I need help. The radio and stereo system doesn't work unless the car is off and the doors have stayed closed since the care was turned off. Sometimes if you unlock, lock, let it sit for a while, unlock, and try it it might start. I think it might have to do with the computer so i froogled "computer for 1999 Cadillac Catera" I got results for multiple computers and have no idea which one I need. If a mechanic is here and can tell me which one I need, if i can install it on my own, and if i need a dealer to make it run right. The reason I am asking is because the dealer is quoting us $1,000 to install and buy it but the results from froogle are saying the computer only costs around $250-$300 and I want to save money. I really appreciate any help you guys can give me.

I'm no mechanic, so I can't answer your question. However, all I want to say is that Cateras are KNOWN for reliability issues... it's really no surprise at all that this is happening. Don't worry--you aren't the only one!

The procedure to replace the Crankshaft Position Sensor (CPS) is below with pictures - you can skip these first sections if you choose, its mostly my ranting.

My Symptoms: Here’s what my car did. The problem started with occasionally taking longer cranking before it would start. Then it sometimes would crank, but not start at all after it had been running (or sometimes start with alot of cranking). I could wait 5 minutes, 30 minutes, an hour, or overnight and it would start – it seemed to be random on when it did it and how long I had to wait. This went on for a couple months, with it happening more severely and more frequently, but still random and intermittent. Then one night after work, it wouldn’t start at lunch. When I went to leave in the evening it still wouldn’t start. I tried disconnecting the battery for 30 minutes, but that didn’t work. Next morning, still no start. Had it towed to the dealer, they replaced the fuel pump ($800!!! I’ll rant about this in a minute). The car ran fine for almost two weeks, and then started the same symptoms. This time it only took a few more weeks before it wouldn’t start at all. This time it was at home. It was getting no spark. I disconnected the battery and charged it and when I reconnected, it started right up. After one day of driving, it again wouldn’t start at home. After checking for fuel (fuel pump was working) and spark (no spark) and trying other stuff, the battery was low. I disconnected the battery and charged it and it started. So I was thinking that disconnecting the battery was resetting something, so I drove it to work. It wouldn’t start – I disconnected the battery for 30 minutes, then an hour, then overnight while charging the battery, and still crank but no start. I had it towed home. I installed a new Crank Position Sensor (CPS) and it started right up and has been fine for almost 2 weeks now. Some other people had there CPS cause the car to die while driving, or go out all of a sudden. Mine apparently was intermittent for several months. And its important to note that it always cranked normally, and the engine light never came on. And when it did start, it always ran perfectly fine – this was the most confusing to me and the reason this dragged on for so long.

About the Cadillac Dealer Shop (a certain, unnamed dealer shop on the north side of Indianapolis...Tutwiler...oh, did I say that out loud?): So from my story above, I had it towed to them and they determined that it was the fuel pump. I asked if they scanned it – they said they had and that it had no codes. I asked how they knew it was the fuel pump – they said that when they hit the fuel tank with a rubber mallet while cranking the car, they could hear the pump spin up for a second. Ok, that sounds reasonable. I took them at their word and coughed up the $800 bucks – I would have attempted this, but my wife was eight and a half months pregnant and I wanted my car to be ready for THE CALL – and I didn’t really have time to mess with it. So I’m sure its possible that the fuel pump and CPS were going out at the exact same time. And the first no start was caused by fuel pump and the subsequent no starts were caused by the CPS – and they just happened to have the exact same intermittent symptoms... yeah, right. OR maybe the dealer just suspected an intermittent pump and threw one on. Even if the pump was bad (and I doubt that it actually was) they still did a poor job diagnosing the problem. The CPS is a common problem on Cateras with these symptoms. The justification for the astronomical labor rates is proper equipment, training and experience to work on Cadillacs. They obviously didn’t have any of this in my case since my problem was mis-diagnosed, or at the very least, incompletely diagnosed (assuming the fuel pump was bad). I thought I was paying for premium service – what I got was royally screwed. Oh, but they do have a “free car wash with service” policy, so I did get my car washed – it only cost me $800. Fantastic. Next time I’ll take my chances with a random mechanic – I may still get screwed, but at least it won’t cost as much.

Hey Everyone, Someone worte about car not starting and then after cutting it off it w/n start. My 2000 catera was doing that also. Found out it was the crank sensor i ordered the part at $50.00 and mechanic put it o for $125.00. ewww...got away cheap that time becaue my mechanic wanted $200.00 for the part alone.

My '97 will not start after it has been running for awhile. After allowing it too sit for an hour or more it will start up easily. It never cuts off while driving. Has anyone found a solution for this? Could this also be the crank sensor?

I just started to have the same problem. I have one mechanic who knows the car. He put the car on machine and said it was the crank sensor. I ordered part for $55.00 and do plan on getting rid of this car this year. I definitely will not buy american again.

Finally I´ve maybe found an answer. I live in Mexico and have had many problems with my 98 Catera. The timing belt problem was fixed and thank God I was re-embursed 100% with no problem. Now I have this issue with the car not starting same as etienne2. If I wait 20 min. it starts up fine. No one here can seem to diagnose correctly . I got a new fuel pump and then a sensor that I can´t traslate to what but it has to do with the tire rod or something. Could this be the crank sensor, what is it and where is it located. I am desperate, just spent more than 1000 dollars and the day I drove it home from the shop it wouldnt start, waited an hour and it started right up . Hope you can help. mexdeb

My wifes old Subaru had many of the same symtoms at about 25,000 miles. If was found to be the CPS and was replaced under warranty. ( would have been $600+ if not covered ) Ran flawlessly after that. If not a CPS, you may be having a ground issue too. My Jeep had some issues with various electrical items working only when they felt like it. It was traced to some wiring wearing through its covering and touching metal! But not all the time! It was a lot of fun chasing THAT down.

thanks for all your help guys. i still have a few questions though. does anyone know why the radio won't work? (see above for more info on that). Could tha also be the CPS? Can i install the CPS on my own or does a mechanic need to do it? I really appreciate the help, this looks like it is saving me lots of money.

*** I will definatly check out Catera owners forums, thanks for the tip.

Soppy:thanks for all your help guys. i still have a few questions though. does anyone know why the radio won't work? (see above for more info on that). Could tha also be the CPS? Can i install the CPS on my own or does a mechanic need to do it? I really appreciate the help, this looks like it is saving me lots of money.

*** I will definatly check out Catera owners forums, thanks for the tip.

Everything you ever wanted to know about your Catera....And some sheet you didnt will be found in one of the many Cadillac owner Forums.